Locking device for steel barrels and drums



Aug. 5, 1958 c. L. SHERRILL 2,846,257

LOCKING DEVICE FOR STEEL BARRELS AND DRUMS Filed March 25, 1954 INVENTOR.

JTTQQNEY LOCKING DEVICE FOR STEEL BARRELS AND DRUMS This invention relates to locking devices for barrels, and the like, and it has particular reference to apparatus for locking steel barrels or drums generally employed for storing and transporting fuel and lubricating oils, gasoline, and similar materials, and the principal object of the invention resides in the provision of a simple and economical device by which the plugged filler and bung openings can be securely locked against pilferage when such barrels are left unattended.

An object of the invention is that of providing a compact device which can be easily applied to the barrel head, in which the filler and bung openings are usually arranged to securely embrace the rim of the barrel at diametrically opposing sides of the barrel, and be secured by a padlock whereby unauthorized persons cannot gain access to the contents of the barrel.

Broadly, the invention contemplates the provision of a locking device for steel barrels or drums by which both filler and bung plugs can be protected against removal so that contents of the barrels cannot be disturbed or removed therefrom, while afiording a convenient and readily actuated mechanism for the custodian of the container.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates the invention, in elevation, as applied to a conventional type of steel barrel or drum, the latter being shown in broken lines.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the invention in operative position, and

Figure 3 shows the invention in position to be applied to a barrel and clamped thereto.

Steel barrels or drums of the type herein referred to are often used in storing fuel and lubricating oils, as well as gasoline, at roadsides in remote locations, as by bridge and road contractors, or by farmers in fields, and the like, where the barrels are often left unattended for prolonged periods of time. The device is also useful in filling stations, warehouses and trucking headquarters, and in numerous installations where such type of storage, as steel drums or barrels, is utilized.

Accordingly, therefore, the invention comprises an assembly which consists of a lever which has a hook 11 formed on one end capable of overreaching and embracing the bead 12 of a steel barrel 13, the latter being shown in broken lines in Figure l. The member 10 may be cast, if desired, and formed with suitable webbing or bosses 14 to provide sutlicient strength.

It is common practice in the production of steel barrels or drums to provide filler openings on one side of the head 15 thereof and close the same with a threaded plug 16, in the manner shown in Figure l. Diametrically opposite the filler opening is a bung or discharge opening which is closed by a threaded plug 17, also shown in broken lines in Figure 1. Such construction and arrangement of the filler and bung openings is standard among manufacturers of this type of steel barrel so that the invention can be nited States Patent 2,846,257, Patented Aug. 5, 1958 as shown in Figure 2, and prevents any access to the plug 16 by which it can be removed. The end of the lever 10, opposite the hook 11, has a handle 19 formed thereon by which it can be manipulated. The web 14 has an opening therein rearwardly from the handle 19 over a slot 20 in the lever 10 whose function will presently become manifest.

A link 21 complements the lever 10 to complete the assembly and is formed with a hook 22 on its outer end to diametrically oppose the hook 11 of the lever 10, engaging and overreaching the opposite side of the head or rim 12 of the barrel 13. The link 21 is connected to the lever 10 by a hinge 23 which is pivoted by a pin 24 at one end to an integral lug 25 formed beneath the lever 10 and at its opposite end to the inner end of the link 21 by a pin 26, in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 3. By thus connecting the lever 10 and the link 21 a clamping action is attained when the lever is urged downwardly in axial alignment with the link 21 in the operative position shown in Figure 2.

At the point where the hinge. 23 is operatively arranged on the underside of the lever 10 the latter has an arcuate portion 27 to afford proper clearance for the operation of the hinge 23. Likewise, the inner end of the link 21 may also be curved downwardly and upwardly, as at 28. Beneath the curved portion 28 of the link 21 is secured a stud 29, projecting downwardly, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, to engage the center of the head 15 of the drum or barrel 13 to insure rigidity of the assembly when in locked position, as shown in Figure 1.

The link 21 has a frame portion 30 formed therein rearwardly from the hook 22 thereon and aligned with the bung or outlet plug 17 to embrace and cover the same to prevent access thereto, in the manner shown in Figure 1. When the lever 10 is in locked position, or in alignment with the link 21, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the inner end 31 of the handle 19, which is curved downwardly, is adapted to engage, or at least be directed toward, the plug 17 and protect the same against removal. A boss 32 is formed on the underside of the link 21 about the frame portion 30.

In the top of the link 21 is a loop 33 which extends through the slot 20 in the lever 10 and into an arcuate notch 34 in the web 14, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, so that a padlock (not shown) can be applied through the loop 33 and about the boss or web 14 to secure the lever 10 in locked position to the link 21.

It is apparent, by reference to Figure 3, that the assembly can be released from the barrel head 15 by lifting the lever 10, by the handle 19 thereof, the hinge member 23 being of such construction as will enable the members 10 and 21 to be extended to disengage the bead 12 about the top of the barrel 13. Application of the invention to the barrel 13 is accomplished by arranging the hooks 11 and 22 over the bead 12 of the barrel 13, on diametrically opposite sides thereof, and moving the lever .10 to alignment with the link 21. The stud 29 bears against the head 15 to make the assembly rigid and provide a counter-pressure against the books 11 and 22.

Manifestly, the structure herein shown and described is capable of certain changes and modifications of the in vention, by persons skilled in the art, without departing fromthe spirit and intent thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a locking device for a steel barrel, and the like, having a sealed head with plugged filler and bungopenings therein, a clamp assembly comprising, a lever having a hook on one end adapted to engage the rim of said head and having an integral frame portion for embracing said plugged filler opening, a companion link hingedly connected to said lever and foldable thereagainst and formed with a corresponding hook on its outer end engageable with said rim opposite from the hook on said lever, means formed on said link for embracing the plugged bung opening in said head and means for engaging said head, and means for locking said lever to said link transversely of the axis of said head.

2. In a device for locking a barrel having a sealed head and pluggedcopenings therein, in combination, a clamp assembly comprising a lever member having means formed on one end engageable with the rim of a barrel and overreaching the edge of the head thereof, a frame portion formed on said lever member for embracing and covering one of said plugged openings, a link eccentrically hinged to said lever member intermediate the ends thereof and having means formed thereon engageable with the rim of said barrel opposite to the engagement of said of said barrel opposite the hook of 4. lever therewith and means for engaging the said head, an integral portion on said link for embracing and covering the other plugged opening, and means for locking said lever to said link in stationary relationship transversely of the axis of said barrel.

3. In a locking device for a steel barrel having a sealed head with plugged openings therein, a clamp assembly adapted to span said head diametrically and comprising a lever member having a hook on one end engageable with the rim of said barrel, means formed with said lever for embracing a plug in one of said openings, a link having a hook on its outer end engageable with the rim said lever, the said link having an eccentric hinged connection with said lever intermediate the ends thereof, and means for associating said lever and said link for locking the same to secure said head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 109,330 Maddox Nov. 15, 1870 1,271,230 Sabo July 2, 1918 1,825,726 Gredell Oct. 6, 1931 2,011,044 Fetter Aug. 13, 1935 2,333,722 Johnson Nov. 9, 1943 

